Father John Edward Gini, OFM

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Franciscan Fr. John Edward Gini

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Franciscan Father John Edward Gini died at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 23, 2013.

He was the son of Edward F. and Charlotte M. Gini, born on July 31, 1937. His family were pioneer parishioners at Saint Ambrose Parish in Salt Lake City.

Following his years at Judge Memorial Catholic High School, Fr. Gini entered the Franciscan Friars in Santa Barbara, Calif. and was ordained a priest on Dec. 21, 1963.

At the time of his death, Fr. Gini was planning for his December golden jubilee as a priest.

Pastoral assignments took Fr. Gini to several of the California Franciscan missions as well as to Tucson, Ariz. and the Diocese of Pueblo, Colo.

A long-time friend, Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, described Fr. Gini as a very compassionate pastor who loved serving people as a humble, joy-filled Franciscan Friar.

Fr. Gini is survived by sisters Mary (Chuck) Smillie, Evelyn Emerson and Kathleen Haddadin. He was preceded in death by his brother Paul and sister Anne Marie.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated Nov. 12 at the Serra Chapel, Old Mission Santa Barbara. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16 at Saint Ambrose Catholic Church in Salt Lake City.